Moving from El Paso, Texas to Buffalo would be a pretty big culture shock for most young adults. There are changes in food, clothing styles, dialects and, of course, the weather.
Senior defender Nikki Wilson of the women's soccer team found the climate shift to be the most enjoyable difference.
"My favorite thing about living in Buffalo is that I get to see the snow fall," Wilson said. "Out west, there isn't much of a chance to see the white stuff. Just watching it fall is nice."
Wilson came to Buffalo in 2005 and cites her family as the main reason she actually made it to the university. She feels that their inspiration to try something new made the transition between cultures very easy.
Head coach Michael Thomas said that Wilson is one of the biggest reasons for the team's unity.
"Nikki is a player who makes an impact off the field as well as on," Thomas said. "She is somebody that really takes the time to make her teammates better, whether they need a push or a sympathetic ear. Nikki is a great role model for the younger players on the team. She is always going to show up and train hard."
Junior midfielder Jenn Mihok also feels that Wilson's personality has a positive affect on the team.
"She is a crazy, outgoing, lovable person who always has your back and is positive 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mihok said. "She is a strong defender, quick on her feet and really knows how to play the game."
Although having to juggle school and athletics, Wilson stated that her role as a student athlete has helped her make it through school. She admitted that she truly loves how close her team is, both on and off the field.
"I love being a student athlete," Wilson expressed. "I think it helped me through college because I'm outgoing. But when you come in and you already have a team and family, it helps so much. The academic people are so supportive along with the advisers and coaches."
Wilson realizes that there isn't much of a future in today's world for women's soccer players as athletes. She is looking to join a marketing public relations and advertising firm back out west when done with school.
"I just want to succeed," Wilson said. "I have goals set out for me and I just want to accomplish these goals and be successful in my life."
Wilson said that so far in her life, she has been going down a path that she is more than happy with.
"I'm just a girl that is trying to go after my dreams," she said. "I set goals and I have dreams and I accomplish dreams every day. You have to dream big and you have to go big to get those dreams."
Wilson hopes that she can help the Bulls achieve one more dream this year by making it to a Mid-American Conference Championship and leaving with a MAC title.
"That would be my biggest accomplishment yet," she said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
